BF4MVP's Blog (Yes, I am copying Partial)

[BF4MVP]

Dear Blog,

I am seriously considering changing majors. I just had a (very) long talk with one of the Computer Science professors and he told me that it seems that Computer Science may not necessarily be the right path for me. He said it doesn't make me any less valuable as a human being, but that there are certain people who just aren't called to be Computer Science majors, and I may be one of them. He said I don't want to be stuck for 40 years doing something that I don't want to do. He told me that I should take a semester of strictly "Gen Ed" (general education) courses so that I can think about it. Hopefully I can somehow find my calling, but how the hell do I, as a 19-year-old college sophomore, know what career I will most enjoy, and what career will best utilize my strengths? I can't predict the future. This is going to be difficult. Help.

[Bretsky]

BF,

My best advice to give you is give it time and you will find your place in the world. Too often people feel pressued into making a choice in college; the reality is a high % of graduates end up in a field having nothing to do with their major. Take some deep breaths, relax, go the strip club, have a good time...etc.... TOO EARLY to feel all the pressures.

I have a teaching degree; went from High School Teacher to Sales Manager at a ISP/Networking Company to a Residential Lending Officer at a Bank. Enjoy my job and do quite well. But my career path has already changed three times and if the right opportunity came along it could happen again.

College is a nice stepping stone for so many careers. It lets potential employers know you are capable of setting out and accomplishing a difficult long term goal regardless of major. So just take your time, and you'll find your place. Light will be end of the tunnel; we just don't know how long that dam tunnel is sometimes.

B

[CyclonePackFan]

Let's do this in the model of Office Space...

BF4MVP, if you had a million dollars, what would you do with your life?

[Bretsky]

Let's do this in the model of Office Space...

BF4MVP, if you had a million dollars, what would you do with your life?

If he had a million dollars, he wouldn't be too worried about what he majored in.

B

[CyclonePackFan]

Let's do this in the model of Office Space...

BF4MVP, if you had a million dollars, what would you do with your life?

If he had a million dollars, he wouldn't be too worried about what he majored in.

B

Naturally...

I'll tell you what I'd do....two chicks at the same time, man.

[Bretsky]

Let's do this in the model of Office Space...

BF4MVP, if you had a million dollars, what would you do with your life?

If he had a million dollars, he wouldn't be too worried about what he majored in.

B

Naturally...

I'll tell you what I'd do....two chicks at the same time, man.

HECK YES; without a doubt.

[Partial]

Re: BF4MVP's Blog (Yes, I am copying Partial)

Dear Blog,

I am seriously considering changing majors. I just had a (very) long talk with one of the Computer Science professors and he told me that it seems that Computer Science may not necessarily be the right path for me. He said it doesn't make me any less valuable as a human being, but that there are certain people who just aren't called to be Computer Science majors, and I may be one of them. He said I don't want to be stuck for 40 years doing something that I don't want to do. He told me that I should take a semester of strictly "Gen Ed" (general education) courses so that I can think about it. Hopefully I can somehow find my calling, but how the hell do I, as a 19-year-old college sophomore, know what career I will most enjoy, and what career will best utilize my strengths? I can't predict the future. This is going to be difficult. Help.

Story of my life.

[CyclonePackFan]

Re: BF4MVP's Blog (Yes, I am copying Partial)

Dear Blog,

I am seriously considering changing majors. I just had a (very) long talk with one of the Computer Science professors and he told me that it seems that Computer Science may not necessarily be the right path for me. He said it doesn't make me any less valuable as a human being, but that there are certain people who just aren't called to be Computer Science majors, and I may be one of them. He said I don't want to be stuck for 40 years doing something that I don't want to do. He told me that I should take a semester of strictly "Gen Ed" (general education) courses so that I can think about it. Hopefully I can somehow find my calling, but how the hell do I, as a 19-year-old college sophomore, know what career I will most enjoy, and what career will best utilize my strengths? I can't predict the future. This is going to be difficult. Help.

OK, I've had my Office Space fun, here's my REAL help (although I DO believe that doing two chicks at the same time might help, too )

This is a question you might want to head to the admissions office about. That may seem a little counter-intuitive, but I'm sure they deal with LOTS and LOTS of incoming freshmen who have absolutely NO idea what the hell they want to do with their life. I'm sure they can give you some assistance.

Otherwise, try a career test. Here's a link to a free one (I haven't taken it, so I can't vouch for it, but hey, I'm trying here...

http://www.careerkey.org/cgi-bin/ck.pl?action=choices

Good luck

[the_idle_threat]

Some great advice here from the Grail Champ. It seems like a big deal in college to declare a major, as if the choice is irreversible. Pick something you're interested in and will be motivated to complete. Get the best grades you can. With a degree and a decent GPA, the doors will be open later on.

[Scott Campbell]

First off, what precipitated the heart to heart with the counselor?

I agree with all of the advice given. College is not necessarily about finding a career. Get some skills. Learn to compete. You write very well, so you're ahead of the curve already.

There is value in learning what you don't want to do.

[Pack0514]

First off, what precipitated the heart to heart with the counselor?

This is a very good place to start..... who initiated the conversation?

As far as picking a major...... I think that is why you were told to take your gen-ed classes..... see what you like and what interests you. You are going to want to do something that makes you happy.

[MadtownPacker]

Maybe you where born to work in the fields.

[GBRulz]

copying Partial? Na...actually both of you are copying Tank, he was the first to start this "My official blog" stuff.

People following Tank.....what is becoming of our society?

[retailguy]

Maybe you where born to work in the fields.

you are a cruel cruel man.

[jack's smirking revenge]

You are in a difficult spot and I can relate. I went to college for a Biz degree (well, mostly for soccer) and then redirected to Journalism because I loved to write and Biz bored me at the time. As I got more into Journalism, I realized how somewhat evil of a person you had to be in order to be an effective and successful journalist, so I settled on English. Never got my teaching certification, though I wanted to. But my path since then has been solely IT and graphic design focused. The IT and design skills are nothing I learned in school, wholly self-taught. Some people go to college knowing exactly what they want to do; others use school to guide them. The easiest path is knowing exactly what you want to do, but that isn't always the most rewarding.

You're a sophomore--do what your counselor has suggested. Take some general eds. Find something you're passionate about and interested in. Get a degree in it, even if the degree itself won't lock you into a six-figure salary.

Knowledge is power--the more you know and the more diverse your knowledge-base, the more successful and fulfilled you will be as a person.

Just my opinion. Take it for what its worth. Best of luck.

tyler